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Detoxification is one of the major steps in natural healing and everyone knows about it and from time people are trying to detoxify their body in every possible way also reaching the extreme solutions never suggested from the natural, or conventional medicine.

The concepts of liver detoxification and support are very well explained and defined in books like “The Toxin Solution” of Dr. Joseph Pizzorno as well as “Dirty Genes” of Dr Ben. Lynch, or “The Metabolism Reset Diet” of Dr. Alan Christianson, to mention some of the books I have read, but many more doctors and scientists constantly remind about the importance of liver and ways and supplements to support it, as for example, Dr. Izabella Wentz and Dr. Andrea Yakama, or Dr. Tom O’Brian, in their books, articles and webinars, not to mention Dr. Peter D’ Adamo lectures in regard, diet, protocols and supplements suggested.

We detoxify through liver which is a multitask organ with a variety of functions, the most important of these is body detoxification, of course, which happens under the description of Dr. Joseph Pizzorno in his Toxin Solution in 3 main steps: filtering the blood to remove toxins, producing bile for the excretion of fat-soluble toxins and utilizing enzymes to break down the toxins.

All of this happens through two different phases: phase I and II; in phase I mainly the toxins are neutralized and broken down by enzymes, while this is happening a cascade of free radicals are produced, immediately the body’s antioxidants -whose major is glutathione– begin to neutralize the toxins; if the levels of glutathione are low for variety of reasons, there can be serious damage to the liver and to the whole body’s systems.

For this reason is important during period of body detoxification, and manly liver detoxification to supply with glutathione and/or its precursor like N-acetyl-cysteine, or NAC, or even better to eat cruciferous vegetables which are cysteine rich foods, or sulfuric foods and many others like for example, dandelions, artichokes, or beets and radish, besides fruit and all other vegetables.

In addition to the detailed analysis and description of liver function and discomforts each of these books has its own menu-plan and recipes and specific protocol and supplement’s guide.

A successive step of phase I is solubilization of the toxins, in case of fat-soluble toxins for it is more difficult for the body to get rid of; for this purpose the liver’s enzymes transform the fat-soluble toxins in water soluble molecules so that they can be transported from the appropriate systems of excretion out from the body.

If the toxins cannot be neutralized with these systems, they are converted and sent in phase II of the system of detoxification where glutathione has still an important role.

For Dr. Izabella Wentz toxins are a significant root cause for people with Hashimoto’s, she too underlines in her Hashimotos’ s Protocol the chemical processes that happen in liver mentioning the two main chemical pathways for detox, phase I and II.

In phase I under her description there are chemical processes like oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, hydration, and dehalogenation of fat-soluble toxins, supplements necessary to get free of toxins are: vitamins B3, B5, B6, B12, folates, glutathione, and flavonoids.

In phase 2 there is the elimination of waste, in this phase the processes are: sulfation, glucuronidation, GSH conjugation, acetylation, amino acid conjugation and methylation.

Other important substance that helps liver cleaning off toxins is bile. Bile is produced by liver and concentrate in gallbladder. Its role is to break down fats from foods for digestion and from toxins for elimination. With hypothyroidism there is poor bile flow, recirculation of toxins, fat malabsorption, deficiency in fatty acids and liposoluble vitamins and retention of toxins.

GSH is the carrier for B12, methylation cycle depends on GSH, when peroxide levels rise as consequences of inflammation and heavy metals accumulation the cycle stop to function if not enough GSH to the point that the GSH/GPX gene gets dirty.

The concept of dirty genes is expressed in his book Dirty Genes and mainly means that if we mess up with our life style choices our genes gets dirty, they go through some genetic variations that cause the on and off of the expression of the gene; they are also called SNPs, single nucleotide polymorphism.

Also, vitamin B2 supports the transformation of damaged GSH into the antioxidant form. B2 can be found in liver, lamb, mushrooms, spinach, almond, wild salmon. Selenium, which is a key element for glutathione production can be found in Brazilian nuts, tuna, halibut, beef, chicken, brown rice and eggs.

PEMT is the gene that support the liver functions and that affects the ability to produce phosphatidylcholine whose function is to keep cell membranes fluid and healthy, in addition to regulate the transport of triglycerides out of body influencing the bile flow.

With a dirty PEMT there will be gallbladder disorders, SIBO, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, pregnancy complications, muscles pain, in general pain, fatigue and fatty liver.

Key ingredient for dirty PEMT is choline which can be found in eggs, red meat, and chicken, while vegetarian and vegans can find this ingredient in asparagus, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, lentils, green peas, spinach, quinoa and few more.

For Dr. Alan Christianson the liver is the heaviest organ and largest gland in the body, the main function is to remove toxins from our body, support digestion and regulate hormones and blood sugar. Responsible for processing everything we eat and to store nutrients.

When liver is overburden by extra nutrients energy is stored as fat, and this can trigger a potential devastating inflammatory response that can bring to any kind of diseases.

Other important function is the conversion of many nutrients, non-essential amino acids are made in the liver, the rest we get from food, or for example, cortisol the hormone that regulate stress is made in liver as well.

For Dr. Christianson slow metabolism implies an overloaded liver, for eating less helps to give less work to our liver, in his book he analyzes the different stressors from the environment and other sources and the chemical and metabolic processes coming from these attacks, he also enlists the variety of symptoms and discomforts of an intoxicated liver, or fatty liver.

His diet includes recipes that helps liver to stay clean and healthy, mainly based on healthy starches as complex carbohydrates, good quality proteins and tons of vegetables and recommends at least two protein shakes per day and one meal, and variety of snacks, mainly as vegetables.

For Dr. Peter D’Adamo detoxification is a very important step of the healing process, his main recommendations for supporting liver function and detoxification are first of all based on blood type specificity for he created specific protocols for each type and on general choices for everyone like, for example, for Phase I he recommends among his own products elements like : quercetin, green tea, sprouted cells and a complex of turmeric, bromelain and quercetin together, while for Phase II, his glutathione complex which includes few more herbs and NAC itself, calcium glucoronate, and a liver complex that includes mainly milk thistle and turmeric.

In addition, he has some specific new protocols for type of toxins, for example for general drugs cleaning he recommends: garlic, turmeric or curcumin, fish oil, kale and soybean.

Detoxification is fundamental and personally from the discovery of the blood type diet I understood the importance of it and chose to stay on my clean pathway as for the most of my life was with the doctor’s recommendations for my blood type and with a light detox choice when necessary. My main product for was always one of the doctor products that includes N-acethyl- cysteine in low doses and other blood type specific meant to bind lectins from foods, and his glutathione complex.

All what I have been learning and reading from Dr. Peter D’Adamo books and articles from time was always interesting and reason for brainstorming.

All the connections among blood groups and diseases or dysfunctions are particularly interesting, but mainly for Dr. Peter D’Adamo it seems to be a strong correlation between blood type and cardiovascular health, specifically between blood groups and the ability to metabolize dietary fats and oils.

It was very interesting and informative at the time of my discovery of the blood type diet that blood group influences the viscosity, or thickness of the blood, and which has powerful implication with circulation.

Different blood types have different levels of cholesterol in blood. Blood type plays also a role in the chemical response to stress, other very important factor in cardiovascular health.

But the doctor also admits that some major risks factors as smoking or poor diet will be the same for everyone no matter what blood type they are.

Besides the common reasons analyzed from the doctor and widely discussed in literature I would like to underline some specific causes mentioned and well recognized today.

For example, in addition to genetics and lifestyle, he tests that a trigger point for cardiovascular disease is chronic low-grade infection, like Helicobacter Pylori, chronic bronchitis, frequent dental infections and gum diseases, all linked to elevated serum levels of an inflammatory marker, the CRP, C-reactive protein, well known to be among one of the most important markers for inflammation.

The effects of superoxide free radicals from oxidative stress and smoking dramatically increase free radicals’ activity; this together fats, fibrin, platelets, cellular debris and calcium deposit contributes to the development of plaques and so of atherosclerosis.

This is also very well discussed in Dr. Michael Murray book titled “Cholesterol Heart Health”.

Everyone knows about the other major risks for cardiovascular health as hypertension and diabetes for example, body weight and triglycerides and both these doctors analyze and discuss in their books and articles as much as the hundreds of scientists and medical journals around the world.

But as I was mentioning in my previous blog on Controversies and Disagreements, the cholesterol, despite of all talks in regard remains a dilemma and enigma to unlock.

Dr. D’Adamo calls the “The Cholesterol Paradox”. Not all the statistics show connections between cholesterol levels and heart disease, he testifies. It looks like that in regard of blood types, blood type A and AB have high levels of cholesterol compared to blood type O and B.

The major factor for blood type A and AB seems to be genetic, but it is also connected to the high levels of the stress hormone cortisol and to the low level of the enzyme that catalyzes the metabolism of lipids, the IAPI, or intestinal alkaline phosphatase.

It also looks like that the A-antigen in type A may inactivate alkaline phosphatase being this an additional reason of lower levels of this enzyme in the blood of these types.

Type B and O instead, have high level of IAPI, for a better processing of lipids in blood; the risk factor in these types seems to be more related to carbohydrates intolerance and it manifests mainly in gain of weight which is a major risk for cardiovascular disease.

Classic sign of insulin resistance is the “apple shape” figure where fat is located in abdomen, while with the “pear shape” the fat is located by the hip and thighs; this shape has less risks.

This can be obtained calculating the BMI index which is the ratio between the weight in pounds and the square of the height in inches multiplied for a standard factor. Conventional tables show the ideal numbers for different age and sex and so the risk factor.

The reason why stress influences cardiovascular health is because during this time there is a release of fatty acids and glucose into the blood stream; these can be converted into natural fat and cholesterol and deposited on the arterial wall where they create resistance to the blood flow and contribute to high blood pressure.

Blood type A and AB, in addition have higher amounts of the factor VIII, coagulation factor, one more reason for tendency for strokes and thrombosis. Blood type O and B with thinner blood instead maybe more at risk for hemorrhagic strokes.

Selectins are molecules involved in adhesion of white blood cells to blood vessels, improperly controlled of these can cause increase of inflammation. These also are present in high levels in blood type A.

Referring to the difference between secretor and non-secretor, in general, non-secretor are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease and related syndromes for a combination of number of factors previously analyzed.

The MN System

It was very interesting to learn about the existence and importance of this system in regard of the classification of blood groups systems. It seems that a variety of diseases are associate with this system. It was discovered by Landsteiner and colleagues in 1927, and involves three variants, MM, NN, MN, based on whether cells have only the M antigen, MM, the N antigen, NN, or both, MN.

Around 28% of the population types out as MM, 22% as NN, and 50% as MN.

The MN system has been shown to have a role in cancer, infections, and heart diseasesusceptibility.

The M antigen is the precursor of one of most common tumor associate antigens, the Thomsen–Friedenreich (T) antigen, which is expressed in a variety of cancers.

MM individuals who are also blood type A appear to have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, MN individuals, instead, higher incidence of essential hypertension and asthma. NN individuals are more responsive to dietary regulation of blood lipids, as decreased LDL with the use of low-fat diet.

M and N blood group antigens also interfere with inhibition of viral hemagglutination of some influenza virus strain influencing the susceptibility to them.

In conclusion the parameters analyzed from this doctor in regard of cardiovascular health are mainly based on blood groups specificity and metabolic differences, and the therapies listed from the doctor are the same conventional for the drastic cases, but, of course more important is his cardiovascular natural protocols for each blood type and more than everything, the diet, for each blood type, so important for this personalized nutrition and at the base of all the healing and detoxifying processes.

Another book that I have found very interesting and complete is a famous and best seller for sure, “Beat the Heart Attack Gene”. It was introduced to me from my prime-care physician and as much as scary to go through I have found very informative.

At glance, this group of cardiologists from Spokane, Washington, describes the causes and types of investigations to find the root cause, and the cases analyzed and solved.

The heart attack gene is named “qP21” a variant “KIF6” magnifies the risks; it is mentioned among all the other reasons that these found in addition can help with the choice of appropriate statin.

These are conventional doctors, but they also look for the root cause and go deep down the cause of the disease, they also suggest a variety of natural protocols and elements to support the conventional therapies so as they provide the list of the most important inflammatory markers as for example: CRP, ERS, fibrinogen and so on, and diagnostic tests for prevention and check-up.

The lipoprotein tests, of course, and LDL particle size very important to establish the risks or not of having high LDL cholesterol levels as much as carotid ultrasound and echocardiogram, to mention some, as typical tests for cardiovascular heart and prevention.

As I was mentioning in my previous blog “The World Summit” there are too many controversies in the naturopathic world and scientists are the same victims.
For example, the new wave has been testing that cholesterol is not more a risk marker of cardiovascular disease, and there have been numbers of summits and webinars in regard of, diets proposal, and variety of natural protocols, but there are still doubts around this subject.

The American Heart Association new guide lines tests that cholesterol is still a marker for cardiovascular risk, and high values mainly of LDL need to be under control. Statins, of course, besides life style modification, diet and exercise are the main recommendations for this, but we do know at this time how much damaging statins can be to our health, especially if there are chronic conditions.
Yet the naturopathic recommendations can be sometime difficult to follow because of high doses of a supplement suggested, for example as a substitute of statin, high doses of niacin, vitamin B3, are one of the options, but niacin in high doses can have other side effects, as flushing of skin and discoloration, and not simply this I believe in high doses.
Obviously, there are many other elements on the market for managing cholesterol and cardiovascular health: omega3 fatty acids, the most important, and with the variety of function they have for our health besides the circulatory support, polyphenols and flavonoids as major antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, or as suggested from Dr.Michael Murray to reduce the atherosclerotic lesions: lycopene (the pigment in tomatoes), lutein, important for eye sight too, selenium, very important for reducing the level of thyroid antibodies, vitamin E, C, CoQ10, fruit and vegetables, of course, red wine, nuts and seeds.

A product sold on the counter, “Cholest Off” ,made by Nature Made is based on sterols and stanols. Plant sterols are lecithin emulsified present in products as Minute Maid and rice drinks, while pant sterols are margarines, other products may include green tea, bergamot, berberine, this one also good to balance blood sugar levels and not simply, and ginger as well, garlic is another one, and panthetine, or vitamin B5 also helps to reduce cholesterol levels, fibers, of course as oat bran or psyllium, and barley, as recommended from the Mayo Clinic, as much as detoxifiers like sulfur vegetables as cruciferous and artichokes and dandelion .
Both sterols than stanols resemble cholesterol molecules preventing it to be absorbed into the blood stream and clogging the arteries, this way cholesterols is instead washed out.Phytoestrogens are also included in some products for lowering cholesterol, these are compounds found in plants and foods like whole grain, leaf greens, beans, soy, garlic, and flax seed, and that resemble the effects of estrogens. Most known are isoflavones like genistein in soy, normally used to treat menopause and post-menopausal symptoms, and to lower cholesterol as well.
But the theories in regard are discordant, some studies show that they have beneficial effects on breast cancer, others just the opposite, and because they are endocrine disruptors, they may cause negative effects on health in general, more than everything it looks like that the phytoestrogens in soy are a risk for developing or aggravating hypothyroidism, from PUB MED studies, as much as they can reduce insulin resistance, CRP, and blood pressure. What to believe?
There are a lot more products on the market and mainly based on healthy fatty acids and these variety of elements and natural compounds.
I just found out about a new product for cardiovascular health by Dr. Mark Stengler, and which looks very good for the combination of elements, in addition to come from a trusted source.

As always there is to look at the risks and the benefits. The cholesterol dilemma, though, still remains for me and I really do not know whom to listen if the American Heart Association and what I already knew from time and believed, or the new theories in regard for cholesterol is a “ Salubrious” molecule and key antioxidant for protection from oxidative damage, as Dr. David Perlmutter defines, along with the other properties that we know about such as an important structural compound of the cell wall.

The American Cancer Society recommends healthy life style, diet and exercise and smoking cessation from time, and day by day there are testimonials of healing from cancer also thanks to the adjuvants and supplemental therapies and holistic support.
The benefits are what they are, and therefore we cannot deny the importance and the reason of the explosion of the functional medicine. But we can all be overwhelmed sometime and frustrated from decisions for our health, and provider to listen, or scientist to follow and to trust more than another.

The other controversial still under discussion is around the grains; I thought to be an assessed fact that grains and mainly gluten because of the gliadin, toxic lectin, were to a void, especially in people with autoimmune disease, but latest founds are talking differently, and here I am feeling really confused, happy, but confused!
It looks like that gluten-free products are filled instead of many other dangerous elements for the scientist are suggesting to avoid these, but they all not agree on which grains are the best.

Eluding people with allergies, intolerances or sensitivity, even more celiac, at this point we can all eat pasta and bread, wheat should be better, so as recommended from the Mediterranean diet. Harvest grains, oat and spelt, amaranth, millet, brown rice and so on were supposed to be the healthiest choices. They still are?

The Ketogenic diet, the most recommended today, it looks like, and mainly for brain health since carbs seem to be the major risk for developing degenerative brain disease and inflammation, does not include grains at all, but this does not look ideal for people with high cholesterol.

While I am writing, one of the doctors I follow, Dr. Tom O’Brian, autoimmune and gluten sensitivity expert, active speaker and researcher is going to hold another international conference on gluten, celiac, sensitivity and autoimmunity in India.
All these scientists are totally against the gluten, and those that keep recommended to avoid, even if not celiac or allergic.
I really do not like this, I am Italian grown up on gluten and not allergic or intolerant, but I understand that long term can cause leaky gut and from here intolerance and autoimmune disorders, and arthritis mainly besides the neurodegenerative diseases.

Tomatoes, bell peppers and eggplants are considered nightshades, and which means that they have lectins that damage tissues and cause of potential autoimmune process, for it is better to avoid, but they also have important flavonoids and polyphenols, mainly the tomatoes.
How can we avoid tomatoes? Dr. Steven Gundry to solve the problem suggests, as many Italians do, to boiling to get rid of the seeds, here where the lectins are, and as a defense system they have developed with time to protect from the attack of predators, as suggested from same Dr. Gundry.
Nightshades are all avoiding foods for blood type A, Dr Peter D’Adamo Blood Type Diet; never liked that, but at the start I was doing big efforts and trying to avoid the best I could, and I have to say, every time I have been trying to follow this diet, I was always feeling better.
Being adjusted to the Mediterranean diet since I was born, I am letting go myself lately more into this again; in addition, this is also suggested from the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.

But there are restrictions anyway with the Mediterranean diet in regard of grains, normally this diet suggests to eat whole grains and in small quantities, even more Dr. Mark Stengler, naturopath and oncologist, empathizes this diet a lot as well as Dr. Michael Murray, but they both warn in regard of grains being these carbs and so not appropriate especially for cancer since the sugars are the worse enemies and food for cancer cells, but, it looks like a problem in general.
Still the grains, not matter, no way!

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that can help with a variety of problems from constipation, diarrhea, indigestion to migraines and fatigue, lowering cholesterol and inflammation, preventing cancer and many more conditions.
Alterations in the intestinal tract can directly affect the body’s immune system. Gut bacteria play a role in the production of neurotransmitters, enzymes and vitamins and other essential nutrients.

Dysbiosis happens when harmful bacteria dominate the gut’s flora causing intestinal and systemic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), metabolic syndrome, celiac disease, allergy, and many more.
Since the discover of antibiotics many diseases have been eradicated, but the overuse and non-proper use have led to the antibiotic resistance phenomenon and to the colonization of unfriendly bacteria, (biofilms), cause of a number of problems.

The research shows that there is a network of neurons along the intestinal gut so extensive to be named the “second brain”, or “other brain” and which manages every aspect of digestion, and allows the bacteria to communicate each other and with the brain. The microbiome of the microbiota has been mapped and is considered the “second genome”.
Most of the microbes of a baby’s gut community are acquired during a vaginal birth where they are exposed to either vaginal than intestinal bacteria, babies born by Cesarean section (sterile procedure) lack this exposure having high rate of allergy, asthma and autoimmune problems.

The number of microorganisms in the human body reaches the astronomic number of 100 trillion! They are everywhere! An estimated 1000 different species or types and together they weigh ~3 pounds. Probiotics must be identified by genus, species and strain levels, as an example, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG, genus: Lactobacillus, species: Rhamnosus, strain: GG.
Here is Dr.Ben Lynch Protocol for Gut Health, but there is a much more variety of probiotics complexes.

Prebiotics are non-digestible, fermented food ingredients, often fibers that stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms, fruit, vegetables, legumes, honey and whole grains.
Their health effects are: prevention of diarrhea or constipation, modulation of the metabolism of the intestinal flora, cancer prevention, positive effects on lipid metabolism, mineral absorption, immunomodulatory properties.
Probiotics and prebiotics together are called symbiotic. Fermented dairy products as yogurt and kefir are considered symbiotic because they contain live bacteria and the fuel necessary. Probiotics can be found in supplement, of course, and fermented foods and cultured milk products. The bacteria found in most probiotics usually are made from two main groups Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, each of these contains different species such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifido, each with different strains.

Antibiotics kills friendly bacteria too along with the bad ones, we are not simply exposed to any antibiotic therapy we might need during a course of a life, but to all added to foods, especially from meat treated with antibiotics for variety of reasons.
Probiotics are very effective to treat unpleasant side effects of antibiotic therapy, they can also decrease the symptoms associate with lactose intolerance due to the lack of the enzyme that metabolize this sugar.

Probiotics as other supplements should be used carefully and after consulting a health care provider especially in case of immunocompromised individuals, newborns and pregnant women.
Potential sides effects of probiotics are: intestinal gas and bloating, infections in people with underlying conditions, metabolic activities due to stimulation of the immune system for the possibility to be a source of genes that can be transferred to dangerous microorganisms colonizing the environment.
As always there is to look at the benefits and risks of what we introduce in our body.

Many researchers are involved into the study of microbiome and function of bacteria. One of these doctors, Dr. Raphael Kellman, has a classifications of species and strains that can be very helpful to understand which probiotic to choose based on a condition; in addition in his book intitled “The Microbiome Diet”, the doctor includes data on microbiome studies and experiments done with his patients of appropriate diet for microbiome.
Diets for balancing the microbiota and healing a leaky gut, or permeable intestine, are sort of ketogenic diets, and mainly based on these choices.
They mainly eliminate a variety of “inflammatory foods” as, sugars, grains, dairy and eggs and rely on fresh and organic fruit and vegetables, mainly steamed vegetables, yogurt, kefir and fermented foods, wild caught fish, omega3 fatty acids, coconut oil, and more than everything, bone broth, this one very important and heavily discussed lately.
The elements and amino acids in bone broth are very important for the healing process of the intestinal wall, to mention some of these, glutamine, glycine, and proline, so as collagen, so important as well.

General role of microbiome for GI disorders is to improve the ecology, and the gut wall fortification necessary for repairing and maintaining the junctions tight to seal out unwanted molecules.
The best strains to improve and repair gut are: Bifidobacteria, which play a role in the health of large intestine and colon, specifically: B. lactis BI-04, B. bifidum BB-06, B. lactis Bi-07, B. lactis HN019, B. breve BB-03.
They help to reduce bloating and decrease transit time and constipation, lower inflammation and regulate the immune system.

In regard of this bacteria responsible of causing stomach ulcer and from here eventually cancer there are some new emerging hypothesis right from Dr. Kellman as well as from Dr. Steven Gundry. They both believe that H. Pylori is a beneficial intestinal commensal and that its presence is of many benefits: regulates the acid production in body, and helps to regulate the production of ghrelin, the hormone of appetite, and leptin that instead signals the sensation of fullness. Studies done in regard have showed that people treated for H. Pylori have gained more weight.

One of the key concepts of the Microbiome diet are the prebiotics. Prebiotics and fibers are the foundation of a healthy microbiome. In the process of digesting these fibers the bacteria produce metabolites known as short chain fatty acids, as butyric acid, for example, found in ghee, with a number of protective and nourishing role in human body.
To mention some of these: larch arabinogalactan, inulin, pectin, oligofructose, fructo-oligosaccharides, FOS, galacto-oligosaccharides, GOS.
Acacia fibers exhibits a variety of health benefits, as lowering cholesterol, balancing sugar and normalizing bowel function.

Biofilms are one more subject discussed lately because of the importance given to the microbiota. In biofilms, microorganisms grow in multicellular aggregates encased in a sort of matrix produced by themselves. This aggregation provides them protection and surviving strategies. The dental plaque is a typical biofilm.

“The Role of Bacterial Biofilm in Chronic Infections”

The author of this article, Dr.Thomas Bjarnsholt, tests that biofilm infections are a new category of chronic infection which affect millions of people in the developed world, in contrast to acute infections caused by pathogenic bacteria and which in the past have caused millions of deaths
Biofilms infections are caused by colonies of bacteria growing in encased protective coat generated from their own production of a matrix of polymeric material for they attach to surfaces producing the biofilm, and thanks to what they survive to drastic environment and attack from antibiotics.
Common bacterial infections were very serious before, people could die for any type of disease that today can be cure with antibiotics. On the other hand, since the development of antibiotics, there has been an increase in slow‐progressing infections.
These infections cannot be easily detected and contrasted from antibiotic therapy resulting in persistent infections.
The author defines environmental biofilms as “general ecosystems of aggregating bacteria that are present in their natural habitat with an essential function”. These can include bacterial aggregates that live as commensalism with the human body without causing disease or those found in the environment.
Dental plaque was the first location in the human body were biofilms were described. The initial stages are dominated by bacteria in different stages of cell division forming monolayers, the progressive cell division in these microcolonies brings to the production of multilayered biofilms.
The first bacteria to colonize this environment are Streptococci.
The human gut is the next environment after the oral cavity, where commensal multispecies biofilms form. A wide range of bacterial species exists in the human intestine, which interact symbiotically with the host.
The host immune system is stimulated by the microbiota while the binding of pathogenic bacteria to the epithelium is competitively inhibited.
If this healthy microbiota is destroyed by antibiotics, chemotherapy or a change in the diet, intestinal colonization by pathogenic bacteria or viruses will happen, and this will cause disease.
In general, bacteria have two life forms during growth and proliferation. In one form, the bacteria exist as single and independent cells, in the other form are organized into sessile aggregates, and this is the biofilm growth phenotype. Acute infections are caused by independent bacteria while chronic infection should be the consequences of the biofilm.

“Biofilms and Herbal Medicine”

For Dr. Peter D’Adamo the biofilm’s attachments are the result of lectin-like adhesions between the microbe and the gut, respiratory, urinary and reproductive tract. Since many of these lectins rely on sugars, and the most common sugars on cells membranes are those of the ABO blood types, microorganisms have a specificity based on blood groups in order to attack.
One of the approaches for controlling bacterial infection involves the interference with the ability of communication among bacteria. Many bacteria modify their genetic expression based on the environmental conditions.
Bacterial organelles, as pilum and flagella and fimbriae are the tools that bacteria utilize to get stick together.Flagella are projections that protrude from their body allowing them of moving around.Pilum connect bacteria together, allowing for the formation of colonies and the exchange of genetic information, and which results in resistance to antibiotics. Fimbriae are used by bacteria to adhere to one another. A genetic mechanism allows the switch between pili and fimbriae based on the environment conditions as previously mentioned.
Dr. D’Adamo observes that the actions of cranberry juice on urinary tract infections seems to be the result of the juice’s high concentration of the sugar mannose known to block the attachment of two classes of fimbriae and interrupting this way the communication among the bacteria.

He mention as an example of the level of cooperation during biofilm formation a phenomenon called quorum sensing. The first bacterial colonists send a variety of signaling molecules towards the receptors of other bacteria inducing them to alter their own genes. This allows them to adhere to the biofilm and to produce additional signaling molecules.
Biofilms are object of intense research in biomedicine and may provide explanations of why certain infections are so difficult to eradicate in some patients. Most attention is on the discover of substances that interfere with the signaling that are involved in quorum sensing.
In the rest of the article the doctor investigates the different signaling molecules, enzymes in the process and the effects on bacteria communication, and natural substance which can interfere with this mechanism.
“The two most common auto-inducers seen in bacteria are known as AHL (N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones) and Auto-inducer family (AI-2, AI-3)”.

It looks like that a major source of lactonase activity is via the PON1 gene, which codes for the enzyme paraoxonase. The main effect of this enzyme is to block the artery clogging effects of LDL cholesterol by enhancing the antioxidant functions of HDL.
“An additional link between chronic infectious states and cardiovascular disease”.
Several natural products, including quercetin, plant bioflavonoid, pomegranate juice, and NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) have been shown to increase paraoxonase activity, but it looks like that most of the studies have been done in tissue culture or on rats.
Dr. D’Adamo observes that “there is quite a bit of variation (polymorphisms) in the PON1 gene and it is doubtful that the animal quercetin studies are extendable to humans, as each species metabolizes quercetin somewhat differently”.

The second series of signaling molecules used in quorum sensing are the “auto-inducer” The auto-inducers work on both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. “Common gram-positive bacteria include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Clostridium (botulism)”.
“Some evidence indicates that foods containing furocoumarins inhibit their signaling. Common furocoumarins in the diet include grapefruit juice and bergamot. Some species of seaweed are also being investigated for their ability to jam bacterial signaling”.

Biofilm and Stress

In this part the doctor underlines the connection between stress, neurotransmitters related and biofilms.
The stress hormone norepinephrine affects parts of the brain where attention and responding actions are controlled. Norepinephrine is synthesized from dopamine. The gene for dopamine has shown some association linkages with the gene that code for ABO groups.

Both epinephrine and norepinephrine are present throughout the gastrointestinal tract. It looks like that blood group O individuals with high level of stress may have more problems with infections due to overgrowth in the gut, especially true for type O individuals with the “Hunter” epigenotype.
Dr. D’Adamo has his own classification of genotypes based on biometric and metabolic calculations, blood type and secretor status, family history and more. There are 6 genotypes and the book that describes this epigenetic classification is called “Change Your Genetic Destin”.

Herbal medicine and biofilms

In this section of the article the doctor considers the different herbs and relation to biofilms, their action and/or interference. I am only mentioning some of these.

Seaweeds seem to possess a very strong ability to resist biofilm formation, probably-as he defines- “an evolutionary adaptation to the harsh demands of living at the interface of land and sea”.

Andrographis paniculata has been used since the ancient times from Aryuvedic medicine and others, the plant extract exhibits antityphoid and antifungal activities. Andrographis is also reported to possess hepato-protective, antibiotic, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

The main active component of this herb was reported at the time of the article to inhibit the bacterial quorum sensing system. A successive study using variations of this component verified this observation.

Schisandra chinensis is an adaptogenic herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve the ability of the body to respond to stress. The major constituents in schisandra are lignans found in the seeds of the fruit. Modern Chinese research suggests these lignans have a protective effect on the liver and an immunomodulating effect.

Eleutherococcus senticosus is also known as Siberian ginseng. The applicable parts of Siberian ginseng are the root and leaf. The lignin constituents seem to have immunostimulatory effects. As an adaptogen, Siberian Ginseng is considered to possess stress-modulating effects.
Siberian ginseng and Schisandra chinensis both stimulate the expression of chemicals involved in the chemical defense against stress.
The conclusion under the doctor view is that stress seems to really impact biofilm formation, therefore is very important controlling noradrenaline levels in the gut.
This herbal approach works well with whatever anti-lectin therapy (diet, anti-adhesion supplements) he uses with his patients.

The antithesis of methylation is the oxidative stress, for the body needs anti-oxidants to neutralize free radicals from toxins that cause damage and inflammation.

Oxidative metabolism causes damage and ruptures in DNA molecules through the production of free radicals, reactive oxygen species, ROS, as the superoxide radical, O2-, and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2. This last one is the cause of the whitining of hair in the aging process.

Oxidative Stress can cause disruption in cellular signaling mechanism and is involved in many disease and dysfunction, like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and so on.

As we age our body becomes less able to properly methylate DNA, methylations are not enough, or there are deficits due to mutations, as the MTHFR gene mutations, for example. Same thing also happens with Telomerase activity.

Telomerases are enzymes that allow the adding of telomeres, short nucleotides sequences at the end of the DNA allowing the elongation and replication of the molecule- in this way the continuum of important life process a very important research find of last years as a way for rejuvenation.

With the aging process this activity is reduced, so as methylations are. As result more and more DNA undergo errors that can eventually lead to the expression of cancer-promoting genes, cancer cells activate this enzyme as one of their mechanisms to growth and multiply. These are regular mechanism of the aging process, so as mitochondrial dysfunction.

Mitochondria are the main organelles for energy production and their function is implied with many modern disease and dysfunction, like chronic fatigue syndrome, for example, aging process and so on. In these organelles the oxidative phosphorylation, final step of the metabolism, brings to the production of ATP, the universal molecule of energy.

Mitochondria play an essential role in many cellular processes, many active cells as those in the brain, muscle tissues and liver have hundreds of mitochondria per cell. They have their own DNA inherited from the mother only, mtDNA.

It results in imbalance between oxidation and reduction, these chemical reactions are called redox for the simultaneous transfer of electrons from one chemical species to another. Oxidations are the chemical processes for oxygen atoms are acquired and electrons are lost generating positive ions, or cations, in case of metabolic oxidative stress the superoxide O2-instead, the free radical form of oxygen with an uneven number of electrons; these molecules are unstable and tend to reach stability binding to other molecules; this is the damaging and toxic process.

Reductions are instead the opposite, molecules tend to lose the oxygen atom and to acquire an electron producing negative ions, or anions, these are the positive reactions which converts free radicals from the oxidative damage back to harmless molecules, these last ones are the anti-oxidants.

Anti-oxidants are the molecules that protect the cells from the damage from free radicals, mainly toxins, calming down the inflammatory damage; there are number of antioxidants in nature, the most common are: flavonoids and polyphenols as in fruit and vegetables, sulfates, cysteine, glutathione, curcumin, vitamins, like A, C, E, minerals like zinc and selenium and more.

To maintain a proper mitochondrial function, essential to many body’s function, is therefore necessary to reduce the amount of toxins and factors like stress, for example, and that can damage mitochondria, and to provide the appropriate nutrients as mainly anti-oxidants. Other risks factor for oxidative stress and free radical productions are toxins in general, cigarette smoking, pollution, radiations, and diet high in sugars and fats.

One of the remedies for supporting cellular energy is the well-known supplement CoQ10, but also carnitine is a molecule well recommended from naturopaths.

CoQ10 is essential component in the production of cellular energy and there are plenty of studies in regard of the benefits from supplementation, especially for cardiovascular problems, and for lowering cholesterol.

With methylation mutations these processes are amplified and anticipated, but if there is control and life style modification it is possible to reverse the condition and turn the bad genes off and the good ones on, repeating one of the principles of the epigenetics.

When exposed to heavy toxin burden, the body prioritize protection from damage more than methylation, so homocysteine is shifted towards detoxification pathway rather than recycling back to methionine for methylation.

In this pathway which utilizes vitamin B6 and zinc as cofactors, homocysteine, toxic amino-acid and cause mainly of cardiovascular problems, is converted in cystathionine to become cysteine.

Cysteine plays an important role in many body processes, among these- as source of sulfate- is utilized for detoxification for binding with heavy metals and other toxic, and therefore preventing their absorption and facilitating excretion.

Glutathione amino-acid, as more time mentioned, is the best anti-oxidant in the body and a final product of the detoxification pathway. N-acetyl-cysteine intensively prescribed today for its many important function in detoxification and not simply is a main precursor of glutathione. It is very important therefore in the methylation cycle to get free of all the toxins through the trans-sulfuration pathway.

My integrative doctor, Dr. Angila Jaeggly– specialized with autoimmunity and with methylations as well- public speaker and author of a book on natural principles titled “One Thousand Cures” did introduce me to the MTHFR and variety of consequences and to the specialists in the field.

Dr. Jaeggly has continued growing her expertise with inflammatory diseases thanks to all the new variety of technological innovation, natural therapies and expedients, and years of clinical practice. In addition, she is specialized with heavy metals detoxification and anti-aging therapies.

One of her best therapy with a variety of benefits and mainly for joints issues, neuropathy and cardiovascular problem is the ozone therapy.

A very natural speaker, calm, secure and professional, she recently has begun a serial of videos episodes on the variety of health issues and remedies offered at her clinic.

She was just talking and addressing remedies for energy related problems and mitochondrial dysfunction in one of her last Facebook videos.

As already mentioned she did address me to Dr. Ben Lynch with his original website, MTHFR.net, at that time and still now, and to another scientist involved with epigenetics and nutrigenomics, Dr. Amy Yasko, a PhD expert on these subjects and mainly on autism, a very analytical biochemist and biotechnologist.

I read part of her work, from the book she was providing free online at that time, “Autism, Pathway to Recover”.

I was totally immersed and caught from this cascade of information and biochemical data and details; this and Dr. Ben Lynch research were my first approaches with MTHFR and methylation, and autism, and from there,” Could be B12” and “Changing the Course of Autism”, two more books on the themes.

Autism is one of the most important consequences of MTHFR mutations, affecting children mainly.

Today there is a lot of discussion about vaccines and their side effects, the importance of curing the leaky gut and an imbalanced microbiota, and detoxification mainly from heavy metals.

“The truth About Vaccines” has been another revolutionary documentary in regard of children affected from autism and from all the all neurological damages caused from vaccines, or at least from excessive vaccination in too early age. The response was incredible and did reach the whole world.

Many more summits and conferences have been on this theme and all the world is aware now, new ones are on the way.

What an explosion today, more and more scientists are turning from the traditional medicine point of view to the natural and holistic approaches based on personal experience and same natural medicine growth thanks to the internet global communication, world summits, seminars and conferences.

I have been testimony of all of this from years, participating to many of these summits and seminars, courses and programs, and following a variety of scientists worth of trust and respect.

My involvement with Naturopathy and the Emerging Science began years ago when I learned about the Blood Type Diet of Dr. PeterD’Adamo, a famous naturopath and epigenesist. This diet has been heavily discussed and under critics, but also validated from customers over many years. The book that made him famous, “Eat Right 4 Your Type” sold millions of copies around the world; a new edition has been published last year with updates.

I was never capable to strictly follow any diet. I mainly care for my general health, and the blood type diet, as an arrangement of the Mediterranean diet, is a better fit for me. I felt always good eating light and clean and within my blood type immunology, but recently things have been a little more complicate with diets and allowances and new emerging.

The theories and opinions differ among same naturopaths and nutrition specialists, especially in regard of diets and here is where people feel confused and do not know whom to listen to. Many of these diets are nutritious and balanced, but they contradict each other in some category and this sometimes makes things not easy as they could be in the past.

I have learned a lot from these doctors in these last years and am very grateful to all of them. I have been eager, proud, and enthusiastic to be part of their summits and seminars most of the time and to give testimony about this world confrontation.

The field of medicine today has a huge and antagonistic separation between traditional and functional medicine. We know how important the traditional medicine is and how we rely on it for major and acute diseases and emergency situations. We also understand the importance of functional medicine, but this can be overwhelming and discordant sometimes.

Unfortunately, scientists are the same victims. Research and technology today are growing and changing so fast that there is not time to adjust to a new find and to research because a new hypothesis, or statistical data rejects the previous.

One of these common issues for most people is the “Fat dilemma”, as I call, and relation to cardiovascular health.

Dr. Mark Hymann with his ‘Eat Fat Get Thin” has revolutionized theories and old believes, but things seem to be still under review and updating, and new summits are on the way.

I have a degree in biology, I am not a nutritionist, or a naturopath, and as much as I understand and believe that good fats are essentials to our health, and mainly to our brain, I still believe that too much fat in general is not good for the health, and the blood type also relates.

It looks like that blood type A and AB individuals with an enzyme deficit that breaks down fats, the ALPI, intestinal alkaline phosphatase, cannot digest fat easily, for they flow in circles and deposit on the arterial’s wall. Also, the natural viscosity of blood for these types added to stress due to high levels of cortisol makes things only worse from the cardiovascular point of view. On the other hand, with type O, for example, the cardiovascular problem seems to be more related to carbohydrates since this type is more intolerant to these.

Dr. D’Adamo agrees that cholesterol is not the simple marker for cardiovascular disease and recognizes the benefits of this molecule, and benefits from diet and life style, but as many others feels that too high levels of LDL need to be under control. All the medical professional admits that particle size or not, the oxidized are dangerous, and if I remember correctly from a famous book, “The Cholesterol Myth”, even HDL particles can be dangerous as LDL, based on size.

Dr. Michael Murray, a famous Bastyr University-related naturopath and New York time best seller author, as well, mentions the importance of the CRP, inflammatory factor, as a greater cardiovascular risk than cholesterol, and of Apo-Lipoprotein (a) as a more dangerous marker of risk for CVD, even more of stroke and atherosclerosis, in his book entitled “Cholesterol and Heart Health”. So as Apo-Lipoprotein (e) is a risk marker for Alzheimer disease, as much as toxins exposure and lifestyle.

In a recent summit organized from Dr. Mark Hyman – “Broken Brain”- and which was gathering most of the scientists mentioned in this article, Alzheimer seems to be still an open wonder with not a precise cure, but with very good prospective of prevention, even more than those we all are aware.

Lifestyle, nutrition and exercise, the most important, avoidance of toxins, unhealthy environment and stress, of course. They all have been enhanced as much better tool than genetic diagnostic. They were mentioning that people with genes cannot get the disease while others with no genes could because of life style.

The discovery of the benefits of vitamin B12 has been of fatal importance besides the many more adjuvants of supplementation for brain health, like, for example, the curcumin antioxidant, and the many brain stimulants, but even more important the omega’s 3 fatty acids and polyphenols found mainly in specific fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Daniel Amen, very famous psychiatrist, and even more for his book, “Change Your Brain Change Your Life”, New York time Best Seller, ADD types classification and analysis, and much more, also has evaluated new treatments for major brain disease and dysfunctions. The Brain Warrior Course– one of his variety of courses on brain health- analyzes healthy life style prototypes to follow, and mainly in consideration of keeping a healthy brain at any age. But Dr.Amen treats and analyzes a lot more in regard of brain.

More encouraging are the therapies for lowering cholesterol and managing so cardiovascular health and strokes avoiding the use of medical prescriptions like statins, unless an episode has already manifested, in this case also naturopaths agree the use to be necessary.

The cardiovascular theme has been also well discussed in one of the revolutionary summits–The HeartRevolution—by participating scientists from around the world, including many of the doctors I follow.

The main emerging and as already addressed lately intensively, the sugar related cause more than fats, so as emerged in the Broken Brain summit, the sugar and refined grains are the major problem and cause of inflammation and degeneration, as we all now know. Even more revolutionary though are some new theories and hypothesis that were emerging from the Heart Revolution summit in regard of heart and soul, spirituality and love. Heart and circulation system discussed and analyzed under a totally different point of view.

Universe connections, magnetism effects, the earth and the heart; the heart evaluated not simply as a pump, but in the contest of the influence of the vegetative nervous system, sympathetic and parasympathetic. Very fascinating and interesting theories.

One of these doctors was expressing that a heart attack with death it is not simply caused from typical preconditions we know, or from arterial plaques, but mainly from imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic.

We all are under stress, and with fight response from sympathetic while the parasympathetic regulate and balance this response with calming effects, if this activity is low for genetic reasons or other clinical reasons, or for missing the spirit for positive attitudes, here is when a heart attack may come.

What about grains and wheat and all the ultimate discordance in regard. Grains are so important for everyone but looks like to be the major contribute of inflammation and autoimmunity development, so as of obesity if mainly processed grains. The Mediterranean diet empathizes the whole grain and many other diets allow the healthy and ancient grains mainly as source of fibers for intestinal health and lowering cholesterol. From recent updates it looks like that maybe processed grains might be a better choice since they have been free of the gliadin, the lectin responsible of agglutination and damages. Some scientists suggest that eating in moderate amount this last one should not be a problem for the other type of damage that processed grains can cause. Should we believe this?

Another controversy in the naturopathic world also heart related is over soy. Soy is good for lowering cholesterol, and a main food for types A and AB, but is considered a goitrogen for thyroid, and cause of food intolerance. Many products specify that they are free from soy, as well as from gluten or dairy products. But, for atrophic thyroid should not to be a problem, same as for cruciferous vegetables, in addition these last one, as they say, cooked should not preserve this effect.

Thyroid disease is a growing epidemic in the U.S. and around the world, mainly because of gluten intolerance, toxins and environment pollution, immune imbalance and nutrient deficiency, but the root cause can be also microbial or viral.

The “Thyroid Team” as I call them since registering to The Hashimoto’s Institute course was including among the main speakers and hosts: Dr. Izabella Wentz, famous pharmacist and naturopath, Dr. Andrea Yakama, a nutritionist with a deep insight outlook, well-known and appreciated Dr. Alan Christianson, thyroid and adrenal specialist, New York Times bestseller and author of the “Adrenal Reset Diet” among other books, and Dr. Suzy Cohen, natural pharmacist and author of another New York Times bestseller, “Thyroid Healthy”, and many more books, as well the other doctors.

Dr. Alan Christianson has also created a program called “Thyroid Reset” where in different steps treats the whole course of thyroid disease from diagnosis to reverse of symptoms, and of the autoimmune process through monitor of diet, life style, toxins, and elements which are beneficial or not in case of thyroid disease.

Dr. Datis Kharrazian, other thyroid specialist and author of books on thyroid disease establishes that if there are high levels of anti-TPO, anti-tireo-peroxidase antibodies in Hashimoto’s, thyroid autoimmune disease, they attach to the cerebellum damaging the tissues and causing brain inflammation and brain fog, which means lower concentration and mental fatigue.

Ataxia, which causes loss of balance, can be caused either from gluten sensitivity or anti-TPO. Gluten sensitivity is the worse trigger for Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, but there are many other causes also of microbial and viral origins as Dr. Izabella Wentz describes in all her works and books mainly addressing the root causes. She also has organized a world documentary on this subject and seminars–one of this, The Thyroid Secret, and written number of books and protocols for thyroid disease. She is incredible detailed and precise.

Autoimmunity is even more discussed as much as the microbiome. The microbiome of the community of friendly microbes in our intestine, or microbiota, has been genetically mapped as it has been done with the genome project to identify the genes responsible for a certain strain of bacteria and correlation with pathologies, and production of specific metabolites to better identify friendly bacteria to include in probiotics.

Probiotics are the main recommendations of all naturopaths and traditional doctors today. Prebiotics are even more prescribed. These are meant to feed the good bacteria of the intestinal flora, mainly fibers, insoluble fibers, and good fats.

The importance of the diversity of foods to feed the good bacteria, and not simply this, has been also well discussed in these summits.

Fixing the gut is most important thing to curing most diseases, and this statement is very well known at this time. Friendly bacteria do a lot of the work of supporting our general health; if there is leaky gut there are a cascade of consequences, mainly due to inflammation of the intestinal wall.

Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability means that if we are intolerant to some food or overload ourselves of toxins we cause intestinal inflammation and imbalance in our intestinal flora or microbiome, eating non- healthy foods we feed the bad bacteria. Leaky gut or porous intestine manifests with loosing of the intestinal wall junctions and abnormal permeability. Because of the permeability undigested proteins flow in the system causing inflammation and from here a variety of problems like allergies, intolerance, and autoimmune process later with time, or neurological inflammation, and cancer, unfortunately too.

The immune system does not recognize fragments that cannot be digested totally because of missing the enzymes, or because overloaded and reacts against them as invaders producing antibodies. This is one of the typical mechanism of autoimmune disease, and this why the importance of digestive enzymes to cure inflammation besides anti-oxidants. In other case there is cross-reactivity, but more hypotheses have been formulated to justify the autoimmune process.

In the case of molecular mimicry, some molecules from foods, usually those that are potentially allergenic, with the same structure as- or like to body tissues or molecules- are responsible to cause the immunological reaction. The immune system has a memory function. If a food is no tolerant, the system produces antibodies against and will use same antibodies to react against its own tissues because of the similarity to potential allergens in foods.

Dr. Alessio Fasano, Italian researcher at Harvard University has been one of the main contributors of the leaky gut theory. He has identified a protein responsible of increasing intestinal permeability, and which opens the tight junctions. This protein named zonulin result to be product in excess in people with autoimmune disease, and mainly Hashimoto’s disease.

Dr. Tom O’Brian, the author of the “Autoimmune Fix”, the book were all the autoimmunity mechanisms are well explained and clarified, has produced a documentary on this theme entitled Betrayal, to express the betrayal of our immune system toward ourselves because it doesn’t recognize its own tissues and reacts against stimulating the process of autoimmunity. He also discusses gluten sensitivity and intolerance intensively; he travels the world to give lectures and continue to participate to seminars and summits on the themes. He is an expert speaker, clear, and passionate, author of many you tube videos.

But there is a lot more around these concepts and the scientists discuss them very well and in detail in summits and seminars. Another important factor influencing the flow of partially digested proteins through the intestinal wall is the stomach acid level.

Our stomach needs acid to digest proteins, and this is another of the well-treated subjects of the Blood Type Diet Science of Dr. Peter D’Adamo. This is the reason why blood type A and AB individuals with lower stomach acid content cannot digest animal proteins very well and so they need the support of digestive enzymes like Pepsin, or Betaine, or of Bromelain whose property mechanism is based on the pineapple enzyme, to mention some, or of natural elements like lemon, or vinegar to help to make acid. Lemon is also good for blood fluidity for those with thick blood and at risk of coagulation process as much as fish oil.

The connection leaky gut and leaky brain, or blood brain barrier permeability, another intensively discussed argument. Molecules trough the blood flow can reach out the brain and pass the wall of protection because of its permeability due to different attacks, mainly toxins that we introduce in body even if not responsible, or aware. From most recent Microbiome summit organized from Dr. R. Kellman, the emerging has been that there is a brain microbiota responsible also for our behavior, character, mood and psychology.

An Italian doctor participant, Dr. Mark Ruggiero has been describing this theory and effects on humans, and way to treat for balancing the brain flora as well. The strains are the same that affects the gut, but the amount is different, much less.

He was speaking in regard of Autism in another summit and mentioning already his sort of mix of yogurt formula to replace the original colostrum to fix the gut of kids affected from autism.

The point is that the microbes itself do not do the same job if not in their natural environment, for it is necessary recreate the same original ones, and this is also why the importance of prebiotics. A cardiologist becoming very famous on internet, Dr. Steven Gundry agrees with this concept giving much importance to the nourishment of the good gut flora. He is also the author of “The Plant paradox Diet” which has revolution some recent believes in regard of foods, but also validate under my point of view Dr. Peter D’Adamo’s theories in regard of the “food lectins”

Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, co-founder of the Bastyr University and author of several best seller books also has been participating to some of the summits and seminars and introducing his hypothesis of toxins as a major contribute of disease, even more emphasizing the importance of glutathione, the most important body anti-oxidant. One of his latest book on toxins, “The Toxin Solution” has been published recently. Detoxification is always the first step to follow to clean our body of all the toxins and Dr. Pizzorno has also a variety of weekly menu of recipes, as well as most of the books on diet, and protocols of detoxification.

What about methylations and MTHFR? Plenty of explanations from Dr. Ben Lynch, the major representative and author of number of courses in regard, summits, seminars and public speaking.

I follow and trust him from time. He is an excellent speaker and a brilliant personality.

MTHFR is the gene resulting in deficit of methylations, very important chemical process at the molecular level and for several body’s functions.

I have learned many things from these doctors, and most of the information I am releasing in this article.

The main concept in naturopathy is to find the root cause, investigating, doing deep data research to find the cause of the disease and not simply to cure the symptoms. The idea is to live in harmony with nature, in spirituality and love, to stay away from toxins as much as possible, to follow a clean and balanced diet, to supplement properly, to sleep well, to exercise and practice healthy activities, do what we enjoy, and live at our best.